(Cricket News) The assistant coach of Delhi Capitals, Pravin Ambre hailed praises on Fraser-McGurk, the newest addition to the Delhi Capitals. McGurk on his IPL debut was exceptional with his stroke play. He scored a wonderful half century and helped the Capitals to a much needed victory against the Lucknow Super Giants after a few losses.
Delhi Capitals were chasing a par total of 168, but given Lucknow’s record at home defending score of 160 or more, it wasn’t going to be that easy. McGurk on his debut came into bat at 3 and occupied the crease along side his skipper Rishabh Pant. Both the batters added 77 runs together which ensured that the Capitals breached the Fortress Ekana.
“It was a tremendous innings from McGurk,” said Amre at the post match press conference on Friday (April 13). “He was batting very well in the nets and we could see that he had the x-factor, he had that ability to strike the sixes. If you see his innings, he got five sixes and his first two scoring shots were sixes. That’s what we want in this format. We were doing well in the last two games but were not crossing the line. That’s why we wanted someone to have an impact on the game and I think he delivered.
“Jake is a top-order batter. We have Warner there and Shai Hope batted well for us in the first match (at No.3) and became injured after that. We knew he would get an opportunity and he got that today and grabbed it with both hands. For any good talent it is important to show that in the middle and there is a lot of difference between doing well in the nets and performing in the match. And I’m very happy that the kind of batting that is required for this format, he showed just that.”
Before the McGurk-Pant duo it was the Delhi Capitals bowlers, led by the star-spinner Kuldeep Yadav that did their job in a great manner to ensure that LSG do not go away with a big score. Kuldeep was exceptional on his return after an injury that kept him out of few games. LSG had a decent start scoring 58 in the powerplay, but then Kuldeep took 3 key wickets of Stoinis, Pooran and KL Rahul giving away just 20 runs and turned the game on its head.
Amre also commended Kuldeep Yadav’s performance. “The way Kuldeep bowled today and delivered a dream ball to Nicholas Pooran…he is a match-winning batter and getting him out was crucial to restrict them to 160 (167). Yes, Badoni scored a 31-ball fifty but that impact from 160 to 190, that margin was reduced (thanks to Kuldeep) and we controlled the game. I also think Axar [Patel’s] role was important, and we were able to have a good period in the middle overs. They had a good powerplay and after that we controlled the game. Credit goes to our spin department,” said Amre.
The win was a very crucial one for the Delhi Capitals. The return of Kuldeep and coming up of McGurk are some huge positives that the side would take into account, moving forward in the tournament.
ALSO READ : Faf Du Plesis states ‘hard facts’ post the defeat against MI
